I have been cone free for about a year. I love my hair and it's unpredictability. I used to hate it obviously when I was transitioning. I was at Target the other day and I was trying to find a leave in that didn't cost more than $6. Everything that was around that contained a cone. I always wondered how my hair would react if I did use a product with silicone every once in a while again.

I guess this would be called "modified" curly girl, but I don't like labels. So any curlies out there, like myself, who don't use cones but ever wonder how their hair would be if they went back to cones? I am by no means saying I want to, I always was curious.

I love my hair now and if spending a few xtra dollars keeps it that way, then so be it! lol I guess I just want to know if other curlies ever thought about how it would be back in the 'cone world' lol

i have to say myself that my hair was stronger and it grew very long when I used cones. I've been cg for a good year and a half now and I kinda wonder what its like to be back on cones. but im scared. so I would like to see other posters as well.

i have to say myself that my hair was stronger and it grew very long when I used cones. I've been cg for a good year and a half now and I kinda wonder what its like to be back on cones. but im scared. so I would like to see other posters as well.

Originally Posted by hambo02

LOL! Personally, I think my hair is better without cones but I honestly don't remember because I was transitioning you know? All I am saying is, I see many women with gorgeous curly hair and they use any products. But I know what you mean about being scared. I think because it has such a taboo label with it. If you feel your hair responded better with silicones then you should consider going back. The only issue I see is say you do, right? And one day you have extra frizz and you say: "Let me write a post on nc.com." I can see other people saying the cones are the issue thus pushing you into a cycle into considering getting off cones and transitioning that way LOL. UGHH TO BE CURLY lmao

I was cone-free for several years and started adding them back into my routine about a year ago because I found a handful of products that I loved that happened to contain silicone. I generally try to limit my use to no more than 2 or 3 times a week (I cleanse my hair daily), but that's not based on anything. I think the key is to remember everything that CG teaches about maintaining a good moisture-protein balance, which is something you can do with or without using cones.

I was CG for 6 months and my hair was so dry, lifeless and FRIZZY!!! I watched this girl on YouTube rave about Garnier Fructis smoothing milk and decided to break the CG rules. My hair is so much shinier and softer now ! I just use cones sparingly, clarify, and avoid putting them on the roots of my hair. I can't imagine going without cones in the super humid months!

I was cone-free for several years and started adding them back into my routine about a year ago because I found a handful of products that I loved that happened to contain silicone. I generally try to limit my use to no more than 2 or 3 times a week (I cleanse my hair daily), but that's not based on anything. I think the key is to remember everything that CG teaches about maintaining a good moisture-protein balance, which is something you can do with or without using cones.

Originally Posted by Corrina777

That is true that overall it is a balance. Like I stated earlier, I don't personally use cones, but I get tempted when I see different leave ins or custards that contain it. i am such a product junkie so sometimes I want to break the 'cone rule' and buy some! lol Seriously though, different methods will work for everyone. As long as you like the way your hair is and it's healthy that's all that should matter

I was CG for 6 months and my hair was so dry, lifeless and FRIZZY!!! I watched this girl on YouTube rave about Garnier Fructis smoothing milk and decided to break the CG rules. My hair is so much shinier and softer now ! I just use cones sparingly, clarify, and avoid putting them on the roots of my hair. I can't imagine going without cones in the super humid months!

Back when I used to use cones I would slather the cone-serums straight onto my wet hair. Big no-no haha. Now if I were ever to go back I think I would use all my CG knowledge and use cones smartly. Like use them as a sealer only... and make sure all my products underneath were CG-friendly so they could properly moisturize the hair.

I have to say I got frustrated at one point in the last few weeks and used a bit an old bottle of the Body Shop Grapeseed serum I had laying around. I put it on top of my CG leave-ins etc on dry hair. Good news is my hair was shiny and smooth. Bad news is it pulled out my wave in an hour. I clarified afterward and that was that.

You can always try. Cones aren't going to make your hair evaporate lol! You'll just have to be ok w/ the dryness you'll get from using a coco-betaine low-poo or mild sulfate shampoo to clarify afterward.

I recently accidentally used a cone in a reformulated product, my hair went lank and stringy, it was a royal pain getting it back to bouncy curls. Never again, I get shine and bouncy curls from stuff like refined coconut oil deep treatments which is cheap as anything and proven to penetrate the hair reduce porosity and protein loss due to dying. Plus I like to see my hair naked sometimes and I don't want to be obliged to irritate or dry my sensitive skin with shampoo to do that: I don't like to be fooled that my hair is healthy, I made that mistake in the past.

IMO the 'labels' are useful shorthand, I don't see the word modified as being in any way negative. No one ingredient, product or technique will work for every single wavy or curly regardless of skin type, hair properties, length, local climate, etc.

Back when I used to use cones I would slather the cone-serums straight onto my wet hair. Big no-no haha. Now if I were ever to go back I think I would use all my CG knowledge and use cones smartly. Like use them as a sealer only... and make sure all my products underneath were CG-friendly so they could properly moisturize the hair.

I have to say I got frustrated at one point in the last few weeks and used a bit an old bottle of the Body Shop Grapeseed serum I had laying around. I put it on top of my CG leave-ins etc on dry hair. Good news is my hair was shiny and smooth. Bad news is it pulled out my wave in an hour. I clarified afterward and that was that.

You can always try. Cones aren't going to make your hair evaporate lol! You'll just have to be ok w/ the dryness you'll get from using a coco-betaine low-poo or mild sulfate shampoo to clarify afterward.

Originally Posted by PomegranateCurl

That is true. Interesting how your hair reacted to the serum. I think my hair is better off where it's at but it is interesting hearing stories of once-in-a-while going back. I might try something 'coney' on top of my natural products, like you said. Thanks for the tip!

I recently accidentally used a cone in a reformulated product, my hair went lank and stringy, it was a royal pain getting it back to bouncy curls. Never again, I get shine and bouncy curls from stuff like refined coconut oil deep treatments which is cheap as anything and proven to penetrate the hair reduce porosity and protein loss due to dying. Plus I like to see my hair naked sometimes and I don't want to be obliged to irritate or dry my sensitive skin with shampoo to do that: I don't like to be fooled that my hair is healthy, I made that mistake in the past.

IMO the 'labels' are useful shorthand, I don't see the word modified as being in any way negative. No one ingredient, product or technique will work for every single wavy or curly regardless of skin type, hair properties, length, local climate, etc.

Originally Posted by Firefox7275

Yeah, the labels are def. useful shorthand, I just didn't want the convo to turn into a debate on modified vs. full on curly girl lol! So that is why I stated it so it wouldn't come up in convo but I guess I shouldn't have bc it did anyway LOL! You say the coconut oil dt is cheap, where do you get this? I really like coconut oil but I don't use just strictly coconut oil it's always in a product.

I agree, say if I did use cones again, I would be worried that I think my hair is healthy, but in reality it's full of build-up etc. Also, it would suck having to shampoo and not being able to just co-wash.

This is actually nice because I am able to really understand the pros and cons and it reinforces why I stopped cones in the first place! lol Thanks for your input.

I am sure a lot of girls can agree to this, one of the things that stops me from going back to cones is it took me so so damn long just to get that crap out of my hair, I don't want to have wasted all that past time and energy going back! LOL

yeah i use to use biosilk alot on my hair and i honestly could say that my hair has never been better with cg but i have off days alot. sometimes its frizzy. i think back when i was on cones i didnt have a bad hair day but i cant remember with all the gel i use to put on it so much. i never used leave ins back in the day. just get out the shower and put alot of gel in. i shutter to think abut that now lol. I do remember i had to wash my hair alot to get cones out though. biosilk sucks to me

Yeah, the labels are def. useful shorthand, I just didn't want the convo to turn into a debate on modified vs. full on curly girl lol! So that is why I stated it so it wouldn't come up in convo but I guess I shouldn't have bc it did anyway LOL! You say the coconut oil dt is cheap, where do you get this? I really like coconut oil but I don't use just strictly coconut oil it's always in a product.

I agree, say if I did use cones again, I would be worried that I think my hair is healthy, but in reality it's full of build-up etc. Also, it would suck having to shampoo and not being able to just co-wash.

This is actually nice because I am able to really understand the pros and cons and it reinforces why I stopped cones in the first place! lol Thanks for your input.

Originally Posted by Samanthascurlz

I am in the UK but just get refined coconut oil from the World Foods section in the main supermarkets or an Asian grocery store, the brand is British-Asian. So products are aimed at those who use a lot in everyday cookery and expect cheap prices especially African and South Asian immigrants, not aimed at the middle class health foods market who are willing to pay high prices for 'extra virgin'.

Do you have anywhere in your area that stocks huge packs of rice, pulses, spices and drums of cooking oil? Otherwise you might try eBay or Amazon, it seems we can get anything from one or the other here!

yeah i use to use biosilk alot on my hair and i honestly could say that my hair has never been better with cg but i have off days alot. sometimes its frizzy. i think back when i was on cones i didnt have a bad hair day but i cant remember with all the gel i use to put on it so much. i never used leave ins back in the day. just get out the shower and put alot of gel in. i shutter to think abut that now lol. I do remember i had to wash my hair alot to get cones out though. biosilk sucks to me

Originally Posted by hambo02

Omg yes! I remember using some cheap alcohol gel and literally slathering that on after the shower with no LI. I agree, it makes me shutter too! lol

Yeah, the labels are def. useful shorthand, I just didn't want the convo to turn into a debate on modified vs. full on curly girl lol! So that is why I stated it so it wouldn't come up in convo but I guess I shouldn't have bc it did anyway LOL! You say the coconut oil dt is cheap, where do you get this? I really like coconut oil but I don't use just strictly coconut oil it's always in a product.

I agree, say if I did use cones again, I would be worried that I think my hair is healthy, but in reality it's full of build-up etc. Also, it would suck having to shampoo and not being able to just co-wash.

This is actually nice because I am able to really understand the pros and cons and it reinforces why I stopped cones in the first place! lol Thanks for your input.

Originally Posted by Samanthascurlz

I am in the UK but just get refined coconut oil from the World Foods section in the main supermarkets or an Asian grocery store, the brand is British-Asian. So products are aimed at those who use a lot in everyday cookery and expect cheap prices especially African and South Asian immigrants, not aimed at the middle class health foods market who are willing to pay high prices for 'extra virgin'.

Do you have anywhere in your area that stocks huge packs of rice, pulses, spices and drums of cooking oil? Otherwise you might try eBay or Amazon, it seems we can get anything from one or the other here!

Originally Posted by Firefox7275

I haven't looked in the grocery store but I am definitely going to now! Thanks so much for the tip! I will write myself a note for the next time I go shopping. But I think i will also look on amazon, like you said. They never let me down! lol